An outbreak of diphtheria has struck the Mbutu Community in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, resulting in the tragic deaths of several children. The exact number of fatalities has not been confirmed, according to a Daily Trust report on Wednesday.
In response, the Aboh Mbaise LGA Chairman, Iheukwumere Alaribe, announced the immediate closure of schools in the affected area in a statement issued on May 26, 2025.
Diphtheria is a highly contagious infection caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterium. It primarily affects the nose and throat and spreads through respiratory droplets or contact with contaminated surfaces. The disease is preventable through vaccination.
“The outbreak claimed the lives of the children within a week,” said Alaribe’s spokesman, Godspower Dike. He added that health officials from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Department of Disease Prevention and Control in Imo State, and local health workers are working urgently to contain the spread.
An isolation centre has been set up at the Mbutu Health Centre. Health workers are quarantining exposed children and providing medical support to affected families.
Alaribe urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated. “Vaccinations are crucial for preventing the spread of diseases and protecting our children’s health,” he said.
Dike appealed to the public for calm, encouraging cooperation with health authorities. “We encourage the public to remain calm and cooperate with the relevant authorities as we work to control this outbreak. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” he stated.
This is not the first diphtheria-related tragedy in Nigeria this year. Earlier in May, two children died from the disease in the Tukur-Tukur community of Zaria, Kaduna State.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), as of March 9, 2025, Nigeria has recorded 25,812 confirmed cases of diphtheria, resulting in 1,319 deaths across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Routine immunisation remains the most effective tool in preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like diphtheria.
